Spiritual Disciplines Course

Introduction to the Discipline of Study.

The process that occurs in study should be distinguished from
meditation:

Meditation is devotional - Study is Analytical.

Meditation will relish a word - study will explicate it.

Study provides a certain objective framework within which meditation can
successfully function.

The principle task of study is a perception into the reality
of a given situation, encounter, book, etc.

Study involves four steps:

Repetition

Repetition channels the mind in a specific direction regularly, thus forming
ingrained habits, and even changing old habits.

Concentration

Concentration centres the mind and focuses attention. We live in a world
that is full of distractions and so it is difficult to focus and concentrate on
one thing, but if we do, it will lead us to understanding which is the next
step.

Comprehension

Comprehension focuses on the knowledge of truth. When we
suddenly move from repetition to comprehension it is a lot like a bolt of
lightening. That kind of understanding of the truth catapults us to a new
level of growth and freedom.

Reflection

Understanding leads to insight and discernment, upon which we reflect. this
allows us to see things from God's perspective. We may even come to
understand ourselves and God's purpose for us more clearly.

We must be willing to be subject to the subject matter. We
must approach study with humility that God can teach us and change us,
not arrogance that we know everything.

ACCUMULATION OF INFORMATION DOES NOT EQUAL
WISDOMOR EVEN KNOWLEDGE(unless that information or knowledge has led to
transformation)

We are in search of Experiential Knowledge in the
Christian Discipline of Study.

In our search for knowledge and comprehension there are three intrinsic and
three extrinsic rules that govern our study:

While reading we need to look at the following:

Understanding

What is the author saying?

Interpreting

What does the author mean?

Evaluating

Is the author right or wrong? (We must not do this first - we should seek
first to understand and interpret before we judge)

There are also external factors that must be taken into account both while
reading and after reading:

Experience

The only way we can relate to the material is when we relate it to our own
experience (this may also change us if necessary).

Other Books

Books often have meaning only when read in relation to other writings. We
need to allow these thoughts to interact with one another in order to
properly understand.

Live Discussion

Often it is only in discussion or even debate that we fully realise the meaning
of something or its significance in our lives. Others may have a different
insight that we lack.

Remember:

We come to Scripture to be changed not to amass information.

The difference between Study and Devotion:

In study a priority is placed on interpretation - what it
means.

In devotion the emphasis is on application - what it means for
me.

The two go together - we seek to understand in order to discover life
transforming truth.

Exercises:

Read the whole of the letter to the Ephesians in the Bible as many
times as possible. Take careful note of the following:

Structure and Flow

Areas of Difficulty (make a note to return to them once you have read the
whole letter)

Thoughts and Impressions (jot them down to reflect on later ).

An alternative exercise for a group (6-12 people):

Repetition
Each person read James 2: 14-26 aloud (it helps to have a few different
translations of this text).